Early in October local ward councillor Wouter de Vos initiated a process to get business owners together to form an organisation to represent the interests of business in Kuils River.
Local business owners were invited to a meeting at the Kuils River council chambers on 11 October to discuss the possibility.
A total of 54 people attended the initial meeting, at which a steering committee of 18 members was elected. It was given a mandate to draft a preliminary constitution to present for feedback at a follow-up meeting held on Wednesday 25 October.
De Vos said he understood and valued the importance of the business sector in Kuils River. “Historically, and presently, residents of Kuils River spend money elsewhere, despite the local business sector offering just about anything that one may need in terms of products and services.
”I would like to see business in Kuils River prosper as economic growth and success hold the key to sustainably addressing unemployment.
“There is a lot of potential locked up in Kuils River, particularly in the CBD, in light of growing populations in the surrounding area, for whom Kuils River will likely become an economic hub.
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“The time has come that the local business sector has a unified voice to speak on behalf of the business community of Kuils River and to serve their interests.”
De Vos said he has made it clear, even though he is a passionate supporter of the local business sector, that it’s not for him to speak on behalf of the business sector. “The business sector must have its own sovereign voice.”
As a ward councillor De Vos pledged his support to the initiative from now on. “I will be more than willing to assist as link between the local business community and the three spheres of government. I am willing to assist with arranging guest speakers, getting clarity on matters, guiding processes and so on.”
At last weeks’ meeting, attorney Ralph Smith presented a lengthy draft constitution dealing with organisational details spanning from membership eligibility, conduct rules, terms of office and general powers of committee members to annual meetings and finances, for input and discussion.
Around 30 people attended the meeting. Full and associated membership were proposed. Only business owners will be allowed full membership with voting rights.
Smith noted that the document under discussion, is “a living document – that we can come back to and change” as the organisation (Kuils River Business Association) evolves.
The final constitution will be tabled for adoption on Wednesday 22 November at 18:00 at the Kuils River council chambers.
Contact Ralph Smith at ralph@rcslaw.co.za for more information.
